Visits at the Court

2019

11-12 February 2019

On 11-12 February 2019 a delegation from the Curia of Hungary composed of: dr Péter Darák (President of the Curia of Hungary), dr Tibor Kalas (Head of the Administrative Department of the Curia of Hungary) and Professor András Patyi (Head of judicial panel of the Administrative Department of the Curia of Hungary) visited the Polish Supreme Administrative Court (SAC).

The delegation had meetings with representatives of the SAC Management and judges, during which the organisational structure, competences and functioning of administrative courts in Poland were presented. Also the length of administrative court proceedings and application of European law by Polish administrative courts were discussed. The organisation of the judiciary in Hungary was also presented, with particular emphasis on the planned reform, aimed at establishing a separate branch of the administrative judiciary.

The delegation also paid a visit to the Voivodship Administrative Court in Warsaw, where it met the Management of this Court and was acquainted with the structure and organisation of work of this largest administrative court in Poland, the rules and procedure of recruitment for the post of assessor and administrative judge, as well as current problems in this court's case-law.

2018

3-7 December 2018

On 3-7 December 2018 Mr. Luca Lamberti – judge of the Italian Council of State visited the Supreme Administrative Court of Poland (SAC) within the framework of the general exchange programme, organised by the SAC in cooperation with the European Judicial Training Network (EJTN).

During the stay judge Lamberti was hosted by the President of the 2nd Division of the Financial Chamber in the SAC – judge of SAC Aleksandra Wrzesińska-Nowacka, the President of the 1st Division of the Financial Chamber in the SAC – judge of SAC Adam Bącal and judge of SAC Roman Wiatrowski adjudicating in that Chamber (tutor of the trainee). He also had occasion to familiarise himself with the practical aspects of functioning of the Financial Chamber and its divisions. Moreover Mr. Lamberti visited the Voivodship Administrative Court in Warsaw (VAC) where he met the President of the Court –SAC judge Wojciech Mazur and the Vice-President of that Court –VAC judge Paweł Groński. He observed court hearings in the SAC and in the VAC in Warsaw. He took part in working meetings with judges adjudicating in the SAC.

Judge Lamberti was also hosted by the Vice-president of the Court Information Division of the SAC, judge of SAC Sylwester Marciniak and the Deputy Director of the Judicial Decisions Bureau of the SAC, judge of SAC Jerzy Siegień, who presented the role, tasks and competences of those units.

Within the programme of the exchange judge Lamberti paid working visits in the Regional Public Prosecutor’s Office in Warsaw and in the Ombudsman Office. He also met the representative of the National School of Judiciary and Public Prosecution and visited the building of the Supreme Court.

19-23 November 2018

On 19-23 November 2018 Ms. Ilse Bouter – administrative judge of the District Court in Rotterdam (the Netherlands) visited the Supreme Administrative Court of Poland (SAC) within the framework of the general exchange programme, organised by the SAC in cooperation with the European Judicial Training Network (EJTN).

During the stay judge Bouter was hosted by the Vice-President of the SAC, prof. UŁ dr hab. Jacek Chlebny – President of the General Administrative Chamber. She also had occasion to familiarise herself with the practical aspects of functioning of the Financial Chamber of the SAC and its divisions. Moreover Ms. Bouter visited the Voivodship Administrative Court in Warsaw (VAC) where she met the Vice-President of that Court - judge of VAC Paweł Groński. She observed court hearings in the SAC and in the VAC in Warsaw. Judge Bouter was also received in the Judicial Decisions Bureau, where the role, tasks and competences of the Bureau were presented.

Within the programme of the exchange judge Bouter paid working visits in the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees Representation in Poland, in the Office for Foreigners, in the Refugee Board, in the Ombudsman Office and in the Helsinki Foundation for Human Rights. She also visited the building of the Supreme Court.

15-26 October 2018

On 15-26 October 2018 Mr. Luis Miguel Blanco Dominguez – judge of the Administrative High Court of Castilla y León in Spain (court of appeal) visited the Supreme Administrative Court of Poland (SAC) and the Voivodship Administrative Court in Gdańsk (VAC) within the framework of the general exchange programme, organized in cooperation between the SAC and the European Judicial Training Network (EJTN).

During the first week of his stay judge Blanco was welcomed by the Vice-President of the SAC, judge Janusz Drachal – President of the Commercial Chamber of the SAC. He had occasion to familiarise himself with the practical aspects of functioning of that Chamber and its divisions, as well as to meet judges adjudicating in the SAC. He visited the Voivodship Administrative Court in Warsaw where he had a meeting with the management of this Court headed by the Vice-President - judge of VAC Małgorzata Jarecka. He observed court hearings before the SAC (1st Division of the Commercial Chamber) and the VAC in Warsaw (5th Division). Judge Blanco became acquainted with tasks and organisation of the Judicial Decisions Bureau of the SAC, where he was received by the Deputy Director of this Bureau - judge of the SAC Jerzy Siegień. Moreover he took part in a discussion on mediation with a representative of the European Law Division in the Bureau. Within the programme of the exchange judge Blanco also visited the Supreme Court, Bureau of the Commissioner for Human Rights, the Public Procurement Office and National Appeals Chamber, Office of Competition and Consumer Protection and the Supreme Audit Office.

During the second week of the stay in Poland judge Blanco was hosted by the President of the VAC in Gdańsk – judge of the SAC Zbigniew Romała and the Spokesperson and President of the Court Information Division - judge of the SAC Joanna Zdzienicka-Wiśniewska, who was a tutor of the trainee. While visiting the VAC in Gdańsk judge Blanco took part in working meetings in this Court and participated in hearings before the VAC. He also visited the Court of Appeal and Regional Court in Gdańsk. During his visit at the VAC in Gdańsk judge Blanco gave a lecture concerning administrative judiciary in Spain to judges, court referendaries and judge assistants of the VAC.

19 October 2018

On 19 October 2018 the delegation of judges from the Shanghai High People's Court and Shanghai Intermediate People's Courts paid a visit to the Supreme Administrative Court of Poland (SAC). The delegation was headed by senior judge Huang Xiangqing – the President of Shanghai No. 1 Intermediate People's Court. The group was received by the representatives of the SAC: judge Andrzej Kuba, Mr. Hieronim Kulczycki – Head of the Administrative & Economic Department of the SAC, Mr. Robert Borek – chef specialist in this Department and dr. Marta Sarnowiec-Cisłak – chef specialist in the Domestic & Foreign Relations team of the SAC. Subinspector Bogusław Gawryła from the Convocation Department of the Warsaw Metropolitan Police Headquarters also took part in the meeting.

During the visit practical aspects of judges activity and activities of the SAC including the educational activity of the Court were presented. The discussion also covered an outline of constitutional and legal position of administrative courts in Poland, the history of the building of the Court as well as principles of functioning of the judicial police. Moreover the visit included a tour of the court's building.

15-18 October 2018

On 15-18 October 2018 the group of judges from Bugarian courts – Supreme Administrative Court and Administrative Court of Haskovo visited Supreme Administrative Court of Poland (SAC) and Voivodship Administrative Court in Warszawa (VAC), within the framework of the Programme of study visits for asylum law judges organised by the European Asylum Support Office (EASO). The co-organizers of the study visit were SAC and VAC Warsaw.

During their stay Bulgarian judges met with Vice-President of the SAC, dr hab. prof. UŁ Jacek Chlebny – President of the General Administrative Chamber of the SAC and EASO National Contact Point and VAC judge Teresa Zyglewska – President of the 4th Division of the VAC Warsaw, competent to decide on foreigners and asylum cases. The EASO Office was represented during the study visit by Ms Barbara Opalska - Senior Officer in the Courts and Tribunals Sector of the EASO Department of Asylum Support.

During the meetings the questions of Polish national asylum system, asylum case-law of Polish administrative courts, jurisdiction and proceedings before SAC and VAC and activities of EASO Network of Courts and Tribunals were presented and discussed. Also the national legal framework and case law in the field of asylum in Bulgaria were presented to representatives of Polish administrative judiciary.

The visiting judges observed the court hearings before SAC and VAC. The judges also paid a visit to the Office of the Commissioner for Human Rights, to the Office for Foreigners and they have also occasion to meet a members of the Refugee Board. Moreover the study visit included meetings at the European Border and Coast Guard Agency (FRONTEX).

8-12 October 2018

On 8-12 October 2018 Ms. Jutta Schild – presiding judge of the Chamber– Administrative Court in Darmstadt (first instance court) in Hessen (Germany) visited the Supreme Administrative Court of Poland (SAC) within the framework of the Specialized Exchange Programme on Asylum/Refugee law, organised by the SAC in cooperation with the European Judicial Training Network (EJTN).

During the stay judge Schild was hosted by the Vice-President of the SAC, prof. UŁ dr hab. Jacek Chlebny – the President of the General Administrative Chamber. She had occasion to familiarise herself with the practical aspects of functioning of that Chamber, its divisions, especially of its 2nd Division competent to decide on foreigners and asylum cases. Moreover Ms. Schild visited the Voivodship Administrative Court in Warsaw (VAC) where she met the President of that Court SAC judge Wojciech Mazur and VAC judges – Vice-President Paweł Groński and dr hab. Prof. UŁ Agnieszka Krawczyk. She observed further court hearings in the 4th Division of the VAC in Warsaw. In connection with her judicial interests and secondary activity in the capacity of disciplinary judge, the visiting judge also met the Disciplinary Commissioner of the SAC – retired SAC judge Jerzy Chromicki, who presented the scope of the disciplinary liability of administrative judges and recent case-law in disciplinary matters. Judge Schild was also received by SAC judge Marian Wolanin – The Head of the Division I of the Judicial Decisions Bureau, who presented the role, tasks and competences of the Bureau.

Within the programme of the exchange German judge paid furthermore working visits in the Ombudsman Office, in the Helsinki Foundation for Human Rights, in the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees Representation in Poland, in the Office for Foreigners, in the Refugee Board and in the Centre for Foreigners (Mothers and Children) of the Office for Foreigners in Warszawa-Targówek, as well as she met the representative of the National School of Judiciary and Public Prosecution.

4 October 2018

On 4 October 2018 a group of judges and prosecutors from Bulgaria, France, Germany, Italy, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia and Spain visited the Supreme Administrative Court of Poland (SAC). The visit has been organized within Exchange Programme of the European Judicial Training Network (EJTN) in collaboration with Polish member of the EJTN – National School of Judiciary and Public Prosecution.

The group of foreign judges and prosecutors was accompanied by the representative of the National School of Judiciary and Public Prosecution Ms. Anna Natorska-Michrowska – chief specialist at the International Cooperation Division.

The group was received by the representatives of the SAC: judge Andrzej Kuba and dr Marta Sarnowiec-Cisłak, chief specialist at Domestic and Foreign Relations, team in the Chancellery of the President of the SAC.

On 24-28 September 2018 Ms. Eva Wiglinski – judge of the first instance court – Administrative Court in Minden in North Rhine-Westphalia (Germany) visited the Supreme Administrative Court of Poland (SAC) within the framework of the Specialized Exchange Programme on Asylum/Refugee law, organised by the SAC in cooperation with the European Judicial Training Network (EJTN).

During the stay judge Wiglinski was hosted by the Vice-President of the SAC, prof. UŁ dr hab. Jacek Chlebny – the President of the General Administrative Chamber. She had occasion to familiarise herself with the practical aspects of functioning of that Chamber, its divisions, especially of its 2nd Division competent to decide on foreigners and asylum cases.

Moreover Ms.Wiglinski visited the Voivodship Administrative Court in Warsaw (the VAC) where she met the President of that Court SAC judge Wojciech Mazur and VAC judges – Vice-President Paweł Groński and Anna Szymańska, the deputy President of the 4th Division, competent to decide on asylum cases. She observed further court hearings in the 2nd Division of the General Administrative Chamber of SAC and in the 7th Division of VAC in Warsaw.

Judge Wiglinski was also received by the Deputy Director of the Judicial Decisions Bureau, SAC judge Jerzy Siegień, who presented the role, tasks and competences of the Bureau.

Within the programme of the exchange German judge paid furthermore working visits in the Ombudsman Office, in the Helsinki Foundation for Human Rights, in the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees Representation in Poland, in the Office for Foreigners, in the Refugee Board and in the Centre for Foreigners (Mothers and Children) of the Office for Foreigners in Warszawa-Targówek, as well as she met the representative of the National School of Judiciary and Public Prosecution. She had also occasion to visit the premises of the Supreme Court of Poland.

17-28 September 2018

On 17-28 September 2018 Ms. Hristina Yurukova – judge of the administrative court of first instance in Pazardzhik (Bulgaria) visited the Supreme Administrative Court of Poland (SAC) and the Voivodship Administrative Court in Cracow (VAC) within the framework of the general exchange programme, in cooperation between the SAC and the European Judicial Training Network (EJTN).

During the first week of her stay judge Yurukova was welcomed by judge of the SAC Aleksandra Wrzesińska-Nowacka – President of the 2nd Division of the Financial Chamber in the SAC as well as other judges adjudicating in the Financial Chamber. She visited the Voivodship Administrative Court in Warsaw (VAC) where she met the President of the Court – judge of the SAC Wojciech Mazur and Vice-Presidents of the Court – judges of VAC: Paweł Groński and Alojzy Skrodzki. She also observed court hearings before the 2nd Division of the Financial Chamber of the SAC and in the 3rd Division of the VAC in Warsaw (dealing with tax cases). Judge Yurukova also familiarized herself with practical aspects of functioning of the Judicial Decisions Bureau of the SAC, where she was received by the SAC judges – heads of the 3rd and 4th Division: dr hab. Artur Mudrecki and dr Iwona Bogucka. Within the programme of the exchange judge Yurukova also visited the Supreme Court, Bureau of the Commissioner for Human Rights and Helsinki Foundation for Human Rights. Moreover she met with the representative of the National School of Judiciary and Public Prosecution.

During the second week of the stay in Poland judge Yurukova was hosted by the President of the VAC in Cracow – judge of the SAC Andrzej Irla and judge of the VAC Urszula Zięba, who was a tutor of the trainee. While visiting the VAC in Cracow judge Yurukova took part in working meetings in this Court and participated in hearings before the 1st Division of the Court. She also visited the Court of Appeal and Regional Court in Cracow, District Court in Zakopane, as well as National School of Judiciary and Public Prosecution located in Cracow.

17-21 September 2018

On 17-21 September 2018 Dr. Stefan Langer – judge of the 1st Senate of the German Federal Administrative Court in Leipzig, specialised in disciplinary matters of the armed forces, visited the Supreme Administrative Court of Poland (SAC). The visit was organised within bilateral partnership between the Polish SAC and the Federal Administrative Court of Germany.

During the stay judge Langer was hosted by judge of the SAC Małgorzata Borowiec – judge of the 1st Division of the General Administrative Chamber, competent to decide i.a. on the cases regarding officers of the armed forces and other uniformed services. He had also occasion to familiarize himself with the practical aspects of functioning of that Chamber.

Moreover he visited the Voivodship Administrative Court in Warsaw (VAC) where he met the SAC judge – President of the Court Wojciech Mazur and the VAC judges – Vice-Presidents: Paweł Groński and Alojzy Skrodzki. He attended also working meeting with the VAC judges: Andrzej Kołodziej – President of the 2nd Division (competent in cases armed forces and uniformed services cases) and dr hab. Przemysław Szustakiewicz, judge in that Division.

Mr. Langer observed further court hearings before in the 1st Division of the General Administrative Chamber of the SAC and in the 2nd Division of the VAC in Warsaw.

He also familiarized himself with the practical aspects of functioning of the Judicial Decisions Bureau of the SAC, where he was hosted by the SAC judges – heads of the 3rd and 4th: dr hab. Artur Mudrecki and dr Iwona Bogucka.

German guest was also hosted by the Deputy Commissioner for Human Rights dr Hanna Machińska and Mr. Tomasz Oklejak – Head of the Division for Soldiers and Officers of the Uniformed Services. During the meeting the activities of the Ombudsman Bureau were presented and issues regarding uniformed services officers were discussed (for example, the latest provisions changing pensions for uniformed services, as well as media reports about violent police behavior towards citizens).

Within the programme of his exchange German judge paid furthermore working visits in the Criminal Chamber of the Supreme Court, Department of National Defence of the Supreme Chamber of Control and Helsinki Foundation for Human Rights, as well as he met the representatives of the National School of Judiciary and Public Prosecution.

13 September 2018

On 13 September 2018 the conference “Challenges of Law in the Context of Sustainable Development and Global Change. Public Law Perspective” was held at the seat of the Supreme Administrative Court (SAC). The conference was organized by the Supreme Administrative Court and the Faculty of Law and Administration University of Łódź. The meeting was was attended by representatives of the scientific community, practitioners and law theorists, as well as foreign guests, i.a.: Ms. Renee Gift from UNESCO and Ms. Saori Ogura from the University of British Columbia.

On behalf of the President of the SAC, dr hab. prof. UAM Wojciech Sawczyn opened the conference with a speech concerning the boundaries of administrative law. The inaugural lecture titled “UNESCO Conventions and Sustainable Development” was delivered by prof. dr hab. Sławomir Ratajski, Secretary General of the Polish National Commission for UNESCO.

Participants discussed within three panels over issues concerning the relationship between the principle of sustainable development and environmental law. The presentations included, in particular, the role of UNESCO and the International Hydrological Programme in promoting peace through water cooperation, as well as social involvement in devising strategies for climate resilient communities. The scope of implementation of sustainable development and legal mechanisms for sustainable development from the perspective of the Regional Inspection for Environmental Protection were also considered. John Rawls' theory of justice as a new approach to environmental law was also presented.

6 September 2018

On 6 September 2018 the group of judges and prosecutors from France, Germany, Italy, Lithuania, Romania, Slovakia and Spain visited the Supreme Administrative Court of Poland (SAC). The visit has been organized within Exchange Programme of the European Judicial Training Network (EJTN) in collaboration with Polish member of the EJTN – National School of Judiciary and Public Prosecution.

The group was received by the representatives of the SAC: judge Andrzej Kuba and Mr Przemysław Florjanowicz-Błachut, chief specialist at Domestic and Foreign Relations, team in the Chancellery of the President of the SAC.

The group of foreign judges and prosecutors was accompanied by the representative of the National School of Judiciary and Public Prosecution Katarzyna Krysiak – prosecutor and chief specialist at the International Cooperation Division.

The visit also included visiting the courtrooms.

22 August 2018

On 22 August 2018 representatives of the Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences - Prof. Dr. Nguyen Duc Minh (Director of the Institute of State and Law of the Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences) and Mr. Nguyen Tien Duc accompanied by representatives of the Institute of Law Studies of the Polish Academy of Sciences visited the Supreme Administrative Court of Poland (SAC).

Guests were received by representatives of the SAC: the Vice-President of the Court, dr hab. prof. UŁ Jacek Chlebny – President of the General Administrative Chamber, Mr. Robert Borek from the Administrative & Economic Department and dr Marta Sarnowiec-Cisłak from the Domestic & Foreign Relations, team in the Chancellery of the President of the SAC. During the meeting the general aspects of administrative judiciary in Poland were presented by the President Chlebny. The visit also included visiting the court’s building.

2-6 July 2018

On 2-6 July 2018 Dr. Eva Wendler – judge of the Federal Administrative Court in Vienna - branch office in Graz (Austria) visited the Supreme Administrative Court of Poland (SAC) within the framework of the Specialized Exchange Programme on Asylum/Refugee law, organised by the European Judicial Training Network (EJTN).

During the stay judge Wendler was hosted by the Vice-President of the SAC, prof. UŁ dr hab. Jacek Chlebny – the President of the General Administrative Chamber. She had occasion to familiarise himself with the practical aspects of functioning of that Chamber, its divisions, especially of its 2nd Divison competent to decide on foreigners and asylum cases.

Moreover Dr. Wendler visited the Voivodship Administrative Court in Warsaw (the VAC) where he met VAC judges – Vice-President of that Court Paweł Groński and Teresa Zyglewska, the President of the 4th Division, directing the division competent to decide on asylum/refugee cases. She observed also court hearings in foreigners and asylum cases in the VAC in Warsaw and held working meeting with the VAC judge prof. UW dr hab. Tomasz Stawecki from the 7th Division of that Court. Dr. Eva Wendler was also hosted by the Deputy Commissioner for Human Rights Dr. Hanna Machińska and her collaborators.

Within the programme of his exchange Austrian judge paid furthermore working visits in Helsinki Foundation for Human Rights, in United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees Representation in Poland, in the Office for Foreigners, in the Refugee Board, in the Centre for Foreigners (Mothers and Children) of the Office for Foreigners in Warszawa-Targówek and also in the European Border and Coast Guard Agency (FRONTEX).

18 – 22 June 2018

On 18 – 22 June 2018 Mr Hubert Delesalle – judge of the Nantes Administrative Court of Appeal and the National Court of Asylum in Paris (France) visited the Supreme Administrative Court of Poland (SAC) within the framework of the Specialized Exchange Programme on Asylum/Refugee law, organised by the European Judicial Training Network (EJTN).

During the stay judge Delesalle was hosted by judge of the SAC Małgorzata Miron – Deputy President of the 2nd Division of the General Administrative Chamber. He had occasion to familiarise himself with the practical aspects of functioning of that Chamber and of its 2nd Divison competent to decide on foreigners and asylum cases. He held also working meeting with the SAC judge Roman Wiatrowski from Financial Chamber.

Moreover he visited the Voivodship Administrative Court in Warsaw (the VAC) where he met VAC judges – Vice-Presidents of that Court: Paweł Groński and Alojzy Skrodzki. Judge Delesalle met also judge Teresa Zyglewska, the President of the 4th Division, directing the division competent to decide on asylum/refugee cases. He observed also court hearings in foreigners and asylum cases in the SAC and in the VAC in Warsaw.

Within the programme of his exchange judge Delesalle paid also visits in the European Border and Coast Guard Agency (FRONTEX), in the Office of the Commissioner for Citizens' Rights, in United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees Representation in Poland, in the Office for Foreigners, in the Refugee Board, in the Centre for Foreigners (Mothers and Children) of the Office for Foreigners in Warszawa-Targówek and also in NGO - Helsinki Foundation for Human Rights.

15 June 2018

On 15 June 2018 the group of judges and prosecutors from Austria, Bulgaria, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Romania and Spain visited the Supreme Administrative Court of Poland (SAC). The visit has been organized within Exchange Programme of the European Judicial Training Network (EJTN) in collaboration with Polish member – National School of Judiciary and Public Prosecution.

The group was received by the representatives of the SAC: Mr Andrzej Kuba - judge of the Commercial Chamber of the SAC and Mr Przemysław Florjanowicz-Błachut, chief specialist at Domestic and Foreign Relations, team in the Chancellery of the President of the SAC. Judge Andrzej Kuba welcomed guests and answered questions concerning judicial procedure in administrative courts and everyday work of judges of the SAC, Przemysław Florjanowicz-Błachut presented the structure, position, functions and competences of administrative judiciary in Poland, with special reference to Supreme Administrative Court.

The group of foreign judges and prosecutors was accompanied by the representatives of the National School of Judiciary and Public Prosecution: Katarzyna Krysiak – prosecutor and chief specialist at the International Cooperation Division and Dariusz Szawurski-Radetz – judges assistant.

The visit included also the participation in court’s hearing before the 1st Division of the General Administrative Chamber of SAC.

11-13 June 2018

On 11 -13 June 2018, a seminar "How to Handle Court Proceedings Invoking Non-Compliance with EU Environmental Assessment Law – Focus on EIA and SEA Dircectives" organized by the European Law Academy in Trier (ERA) within the support of the “Cooperation with National Judges in the field of Environmental Law” programme of the European Union, took place at the seat of the Supreme Administrative Court.

The seminar was opened by Vice-President of SAC, judge prof. UŁ dr hab. Jacek Chlebny - President of the General Administrative Chamber and Dr. Kleoniki Pouikli – Courrse Director in European Public Law Unit of ERA. The seminar was designed to provide the participants with an overview of both the EU legislation – EIA and SEA Directives and the most recent related CJEU case law on EU environmental assessment law. In the Warsaw workshop participated, among others speakers and judges from Austria, Bulgaria, Croatia, Greece, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden and United Kingdom.

3-7 June 2018

On 3-7 June 2018 in the Supreme Administrative Court a delegation from the Lithuanian administrative courts, composed of: Gintaras Kryževičius (President of the Supreme Administrative Court), Ramūnas Gadliauskas (Judge of the Supreme Administrative Court and President of the Lithuanian Judges Association), Veslava Ruskan (Judge of the Supreme Administrative Court) and Jolanta Malijauskienė (President of the Vilnius District Administrative Court) visited the Polish Supreme Administrative Court (SAC). The delegation had a meeting with the representatives of the SAC Management and the judges of the SAC, during which the competences and functioning of administrative courts in Poland and Lithuania were discussed. Subsequently, the delegation went to a meeting with representatives of the Management of the Voivodship Administrative Court in Warsaw, where it was acquainted with the organisation of the largest administrative court in Poland as well as with current problems in this court's case-law. During the visit in Poland, the delegation was hosted also by the Management and Judges of the Voivodship Administrative Court in Kielce. In Kielce, the guests listened to a lecture given by the judge Mirosław Surma on the history and specifics of the proceedings before administrative courts in Poland. Also the efficiency of proceedings before administrative courts, recent reforms of administrative and administrative court proceedingsas well as organisation of work and practical aspects of the work of an judge were discussed.

20-22 May 2018

On 20-22 May 2018 the Supreme Administrative Court visited three-member delegation of the Supreme Court ofthe Slovak Republic, chaired by the President of the Supreme Court Ms. Daniela Švecova. The visit was received by Prof. dr hab. Marek Zirk-Sadowski - President of the Supreme Administrative Court, Vice-President of the SAC: Janusz Drachal- President of the Commercial Chamber and Maria Wiśniewska – Director of the Judicial Decisons Bureau as well as by SAC Judge Małgorzata Niezgódka-Medek – representative of the Polish-Czech working group of administrative judges.

Within the programme of the visit it took place the seminar on constitutional position, competences, organizational structure and functioning of administrative judiciary in Poland and in Slovakia, with participation of President of the SAC Prof. Marek Zirk-Sadowski, SAC judges, members of the Judicial Decisions Bureau and legal specialists from the Judicial Decisions Bureau, the Court Information Division and the Chancellery of the President of the SAC.

The President of the SAC Prof. Marek Zirk-Sadowski welcomed all guests and opened the seminar. The Polish speakers presented the systemic changes in the administration of justice in Poland, with a particular focus on administrative judiciary, the issue of the interpretation of law in conformity with the Constitutionin case-law of administrative courts and the reforms of administrative and administrative court proceedings.

In turn, the members of the Slovak delegation presented the constitutional position, structure, organization and competences of the Slovak Supreme Court, in particular the Administrative Chamber of this Court, as well as legal issues arising from current case-law. Also the legal instruments safeguarding the unity of administrative court jurisprudence used in both national jurisdictions have been discussed.

The Presidents of both Supreme Courts highlighted the importance and significance of the independence of the judiciary for the bilateral contacts, based on mutual trust. They declared also willingness to continue the cooperation between Polish and Slovak judges within working group of administrative judges.

18 May 2018

At the seat of the Supreme Administrative Court (SAC) a meeting with a delegation of the Ministry of Justice of Hungary, under the chairmanship of dr. Barnabás Hajas - director of the Department of Special Affairs, was held.

The SAC was represented by the Vice-President of the Court, Director of the Judicial Decision Bureau – SAC judge Maria Wiśniewska, Deputy Director of the Judicial Decision Bureau, SAC judge Jerzy Siegień, SAC judge Marian Wolanin - Head of 1st Division of the Judicial Decision Bureau and Marta Kulikowska - Head of the Domestic and Foreign Relations in The Chancellery of the President of the SAC.

Due to the administrative courts’ reform planned in Hungary, the main topic of the meeting was the constitutional position, competences, organizational structure and functioning of administrative judiciary in Poland, with particular emphasis on the supervision of the President of the SAC over administrative courts. During the discussion the appointment of candidates for the position of a judge, the election of presidents and vice-presidents of administrative courts, as well as the methods of training of administrative judges were also presented. The jurisdiction of administrative courts, the division of cognitions between administrative courts and common courts as well as matters that are the exclusive competence of the Supreme Administrative Court were discussed.

10-11 May 2018

On 10-11 May 2018 the 2nd Luso-Polish scientific conference „Democratic Legitimization of the Judicial Rulings Influence on a System of Law Making” was held in the Supreme Administrative Court (SAC). The conference was organized by the Supreme Administrative Court and the Center for the Theory and Philosophy of Human Rights of the Faculty of Law and Administration of the University of Łódź in cooperation with the University of Coimbra.

The academics from University of Coimbra, University of Łódź, Adam-Mickiewicz-University in Poznań, Jan-Długosz Academy in Częstochowa, judges and legal specialists from Supreme Administrative Court took part in the conference.

The president of the SAC prof. dr hab. Marek Zirk-Sadowski and SAC judge dr hab. prof. UŁ Bartosz Wojciechowski – Director of the Center for the Theory and Philosophy of Human Rights and Head of the European Law Division of the SAC Judicial Decisions Bureau welcomed all participants.

Within first session regarding discursive role of the case-law in relation to law making and role of the legal interpretation as a „mediation” between the text of law and its judicial application the papers were presented by prof. José Manuel Aroso Linhares from Coimbra University and by prof. dr hab. Marek Zirk-Sadowski. The second session was devoted to the concept of law and jurispruidence as economic analyzed phenomenon and as a communication medium. The papers within that session were presented by dr hab. prof. UŁ Mariusz J. Golecki, dr Ana Margarida Gaudêncio and dr Inês Godinho. Within the last panel of the conference concerning the law as a expression of culture and judicial dialogue between national courts and ECtHR and the influence of its case-law on national law the following participants took the floor: dr hab. prof. AJD Anna Kalisz, Ms Brisa Paim Duarte, dr Anna Chmielarz-Grochal and Ms Dorota Pawlicka, as well as dr hab. prof. UŁ Bartosz Wojciechowski and dr hab. prof. UAM Karolina Cern.

7-11 May 2018

On 7-11 May 2018 Mr. Ciaran White – member of the International Protection Appeals Tribunal in Dublin visited the Supreme Administrative Court of Poland (the SAC) within the framework of the Specialized Exchange Programme on Asylum/Refugee law, organised by the European Judicial Training Network (EJTN).

During his stay Mr. Ciaran White met with the Vice-President of the SAC, prof. UŁ dr hab. Jacek Chlebny – the President of the General Administrative Chamber, judge Jolanta Rudnicka - the Deputy of the President of the 1st Division of the General Administrative Chamber and other judges adjudicating in the SAC. He also had occasion to familiarise himself with practical aspects of functioning of the General Administrative Chamber and the Judicial Decisions Bureau.

Moreover he visited the Voivodship Administrative Court in Warsaw (the VAC) where he was hosted by judge Paweł Groński - the Vice-President of the VAC and judge Teresa Zyglewska - the President of the 4th Division competent to decide on asylum/refugee cases. He also observed court hearings in the SAC and in the VAC in Warsaw.

Within the programme of his exhange Mr. Ciaran White also paid visits in the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees Representation in Poland, in the Office for Foreigners, in the European Border and Coast Guard Agency (FRONTEX), in NGO - Helsinki Foundation for Human Rights, in the Refugee Board and also in the Office of the Commissioner for Human Rights.

24 April 2018

On 24 April 2018 a group of students from the Law School of China University of Political Science and Law in Beijing accompanied by scientific supervisors and Polish students from the Warsaw University visited the Supreme Administrative Court of Poland (SAC). The visit has been organised within the cooperation between the Law School of China University of Political Science and Law and the Warsaw University. The group was received by the representatives of the SAC: Judge Andrzej Kuba, Robert Borek - from the Administrative & Economic Department of the SAC and dr Marta Sarnowiec-Cisłak from the Domestic & Foreign Relations, team in the Chancellery of the President of the SAC. During the meeting practical aspects of judges activity and activities of the SAC, as well as an outline of constitutional and legal position of administrative courts in Poland and the history of the current building of the Court were presented. The visit also included visiting the court’s building.

28 March 2018

On 28 March 2018 the group of students from Faculty of Law of François Rabelais University of Tours visited the Supreme Administrative Court of Poland (SAC). The visit has been organised within the cooperation between the French university and Polish partners – Faculty of Law and Administration of University of Łódź and Warsaw University Centre for Studies in Local Government and Development. The group was received by the representatives of the SAC: Judge Sylwester Marciniak - Deputy President of the Court Information Division, Robert Borek - from the Administrative & Economic Department and Małgorzata Szyszkowska and Dr. Marta Sarnowiec-Cisłak from the Domestic & Foreign Relations, team in the Chancellery of the President of the SAC. During the meeting practical aspects of judges activity and activities of the SAC, as well as outline of constitutional and legal position of administrative courts in Poland and the history of the current building of the Court were presented. The group of French students was accompanied by Prof. Patrick Baleynaud (Université François-Rabelais de Tours) – Honorary Consul of Poland in Tours and Co-director of French Law School of University of Łódź and Dr. Beata Marczeska – researcher from Warsaw University Centre for Studies in Local Government and Development. The visit also included visiting the court’s building.

2017

14-21 December 2017

On 14-21 December 2017 the group of judges from Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) and Serbia visited Supreme Administrative Court of Poland (SAC) and Voivodship Administrative Court in Warszawa (VAC), within the framework of the Programme of study visits for asylum law judges organised by the European Asylum Support Office (EASO).
The co-organizers of the study visit were SAC and VAC Warsaw.
During their stay judges met with Vice-President of the Court, Prof. UŁ dr hab. Jacek Chlebny – President of the General Administrative Chamber and EASO National Contact Point, judge Zofia Flasińska – President of the 2nd Division of the General Administrative Chamber, judge Teresa Zyglewska – President of the 4th Division of the VAC Warsaw and Maria Antonia Gonzalez – legal officer of the EASO Asylum Support Unit.
During the meetings the questions of Polish national asylum system, asylum case-law of Polish administrative courts, jurisdiction and proceedings before SAC and VAC and activities of EASO Courts and Tribunals Network were presented and discussed.
The visiting judges observed the court hearings before SAC and VAC. The judges also paid a visit to the Office of the Commissioner for Human Rights, to the Office for Foreigners and they have also occasion to meet a member of the Refugee Board. Moreover the study visit included meetings at the European Border and Coast Guard Agency (FRONTEX).

4-8 December 2017

On 4 – 8 December 2017 Mr Pierre Sanson – judge of the Administrative Court of Lille (France) visited the Supreme Administrative Court of Poland (the SAC) within the framework of the Specialized Exchange Programme on Asylum/Refugee law, organised by the European Judicial Training Network (EJTN).

During the stay judge Sanson met with the Vice-President of the SAC, prof. UŁ dr hab. Jacek Chlebny – President of the General Administrative Chamber. He also had occasion to familiarise himself with the practical aspects of functioning of the General Administrative Chamber.

Moreover he visited the Voivodship Administrative Court in Warsaw (the VAC) where he was hosted by the President of the 4th Division judge Teresa Zyglewska, directing the division competent to decide on asylum/refugee cases. He observed also court hearings in the SAC and in the VAC in Warsaw.

Within the programme of his exhange judge Sanson paid also visits in the European Border and Coast Guard Agency (FRONTEX), in the Office of the Commissioner for Citizens' Rights, in United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees Representation in Poland, in the Office for Foreigners, in the Refugee Board and also in NGO - Helsinki Foundation for Human Rights.

28 November 2017

On 28 November 2017 the group of academics and students from Kazan, Kazakhstan and Georgia, interning at the Faculty of Law and Administration at the University of Warsaw (FLA UW), visited the Supreme Administrative Court of Poland (SAC).

The group was received by the representatives of the SAC: judge Andrzej Kuba, Robert Borek, chef specialist in the Administrative & Economic Department of the SAC and dr Marta Sarnowiec-Cisłak, legal specialist at the Domestic & Foreign Relations, team in the Chancellery of the President of SAC. Judge Andrzej Kuba welcomed guests and answered questions concerning judicial procedure in administrative courts and everyday work of judges of the SAC, Marta Sarnowiec-Cisłak presented the structure, position, functions and competences of administrative judiciary in Poland, with special reference to Supreme Administrative Court. The history of the current buildings of the Court was presented by Robert Borek.

The group was accompanied by dr Jarosław Turłukowski – the representative of the Dean of the FLA UW for Eastern Cooperation.

The visit also included visiting the court’s building.

15-17 November 2017

On 15 – 17 November the delegation of Ukrainian supreme courts judges and academics from Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv paid the study visit in the Supreme Administrative Court of Poland. The Ukrainian delegation comprised: Prof. Oleksandr Paseniuk – President of the All-Ukrainian Association of Administrative Judges, retired judge of the Constitutional Court of Ukraine; Professor Oleh Tkachuk – judge prof. Oleh Tkachuk – judge of the Supreme Court of Ukraine, Professor Danil Getmantsev (Professor of Financial Law Department at Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv), Natalia Shaptala – judge of the Constitutional Court of Ukraine, dr Natalia Blazhivska – judge of the High Administrative Court of Ukraine, Vice-President of theAll-Ukrainian Association of Administrative Judges and Angelika Tkachuk – lawyer, PhD student and lecturer of Taras Shevchenko National University. The meeting was also attended by dr Edith Zeller – judge of the Administrative Court of Vienna, President of the Association of the European Administrative Judges (AEAJ).

On behalf of the President of the SAC the delegation was received by Maria Wiśniewska – the Vice-President of the SAC and the Director of the Judicial Decisions Bureau within the meeting attended by the representatives of the Judicial Decisions Bureau, judges of the SAC and the Chancellery of the President of the SAC.

Within the programme of the visit it took place also the Polish-Ukrainian seminar “The Reforms of Supreme Judiciary in Poland and in Ukraine”, with participation of Vice-President – Director of the Judicial Decisions Bureau, judges - heads of divisions of the Judicial Decisions Bureau, judges and officials of the SAC. Professor dr hab. Bartosz Wojciechowski – Head of the European Law Division of the Judicial Decisions Bureau welcomed all guests and opened the seminar. During the first part of the seminar there were delivered lectures on: historical aspects of the establishment of the administrative courts in Ukraine, constitutional status of administrative justice in Ukraine, the evolution of the cassation proceedings before Ukrainian supreme courts, the main features of judicial system's reform in Poland, European models of the supreme courts: their role in unifying (harmonization) of case-law and their constitutional position. The second part of the seminar was devoted to: new procedural instruments under the Ukrainian Code of Administrative Justice 2017, advantages and disadvantages of Ukrainian administrative justice innovations in resolving tax disputes, reform of 2015 of the procedural instruments in Polish administrative court proceedings and the status of the supreme court judge from universalistic and legal-philosophical perspective.

The Ukrainian guests paid also visits the Law Clinic of the Faculty of Law and Administration of University of Lodz and the Voivodship Administrative Court in Lodz.

23 October 2017

On 23 October 2017 the President of the Supreme Administrative Court of Poland Prof. Marek Zirk-Sadowski received at the seat of SAC Mr García-Sayán – United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Independence of Judges and Lawyers – former minister of justice and minister of foreign affairs of Peru, as well as former judge of the Inter-American Court of Human Rights.

During the meeting the constitutional crisis around the Polish Constitutional Tribunal, current state of Polish legislation concerning Constitutional Tribunal and Polish courts and its compatibility with international law standards were discussed.

The meeting was also attended by Vice-President of the SAC, dr hab. prof. UŁ Jacek Chlebny – President of the General Administrative Chamber and Mr Stefano Sensi – Human Rights Officer from the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights.

25 September – 6 October 2017 (Warsaw / Gdańsk)

On 25 September – 6 October 2017 Mrs. Renate Trenz – judge of the Administrative Court of Saarland (Germany) - liaison officer of the European Asylum Support Office at that Court - visited the Supreme Administrative Court of Poland (SAC) and the Voivodship Administrative Court in Gdańsk, within the framework of the Exchange Programme organised by the European Judicial Training Network (EJTN).

During her stay judge Trenz met with the Vice-President of the SAC, prof. UŁ dr hab. Jacek Chlebny – President of the General Administrative Chamber and with judge Jerzy Siegień – Deputy Head of the Judicial Decisions Bureau of the SAC. Moreover she visited the Voivodship Administrative Court (VAC) in Warsaw. During second part of the exchange programme in VAC in Gdańsk German judge was hosted by the President of that Court SAC judge Zbigniew Romała and SAC judge Joanna Zdzienicka-Wiśniewska – President of the Court Information Division.

She also observed mock court trial at SAC, court hearings in the VACs in Warsaw and Gdańsk and also in the District Court in Gdańsk. She held a number of working meetings with the judges of these Courts.

Judge Trenz within the programme of her stay in Poland paid also visit in the Office of the Commissioner for Citizens' Rights, in the National Council of Judiciary, in the Refugee Board, in the Office for Foreigners and in the European Border and Coast Guard Agency (FRONTEX).

An important event of the visit was a lecture on administrative justice in Germany given by the guest to judges, court referendaries and judge assistants of VAC in Gdańsk. During the lecture judge Trenz shared some comparative remarks concerning both (Polish and German) judiciary systems and proceedings.

2 October 2017

On 2 October 2017 the group of judges and prosecutors from Bulgaria, Spain, the Netherlands, Germany, Italy and Romania visited the Supreme Administrative Court of Poland (SAC). The visit has been organized within Exchange Programme of the European Judicial Training Network (EJTN) in collaboration with Polish member – National School of Judiciary and Public Prosecution.

The group was received by the representatives of the SAC: judge Sylwester Marciniak, Deputy President of the Court Information Division; Robert Borek, chef specialist in the Economic & Administration Division of the SAC; Marta Kulikowska, Head of Domestic and Foreign Relations, team in the Chancellery of the President of the SAC and Marta Sarnowiec-Cisłak, legal specialist at this team. Judge Sylwester Marciniak welcomed guests and answered questions concerning judicial procedure in administrative courts and everyday work of judges of the SAC, Marta Sarnowiec-Cisłak presented the structure, position, functions and competences of administrative judiciary in Poland, with special reference to Supreme Administrative Court. The history of the current buildings of the Court was presented by Robert Borek.

The group of foreign judges and prosecutors was accompanied by Ms Katarzyna Krysiak – prosecutor and chief specialist at the International Cooperation Division of the National School of Judiciary and Public Prosecution.

The visit also included visiting the court’s building.

4 September 2017

On 4 September 2017 the group of judges and prosecutors from Bulgaria, Spain, the Netherlands, Germany, Lithuania, Italy, Romania, Portugal, Sweden and Hungary visited the Supreme Administrative Court of Poland (SAC). The visit has been organized within Exchange Programme of the European Judicial Training Network (EJTN) in collaboration with Polish member – National School of Judiciary and Public Prosecution.

The group was received by the representatives of SAC: judge Andrzej Kuba, Hieronim Kulczycki - Head of Economic & Administration Division of the Chancellery of the President of SAC and Przemysław Florjanowicz-Błachut, legal specialist at the Domestic & Foreign Relations, team in the Chancellery of the President of SAC. During the meeting practical aspects of judges activity and activities of SAC, as well as outline of constitutional and legal position of administrative courts in Poland and the history of the current building of the Court were presented.

The group of foreign judges and prosecutors was accompanied by Ms Katarzyna Krysiak – prosecutor and chief specialist at the International Cooperation Division of the National School of Judiciary and Public Prosecution.

The visit also included visiting the court’s building.

17 June – 1 July 2017

On 17 June – 1 July 2017 Mrs. Adriana Andonie from the Court of Appeal in Târgu Mureş visited the Supreme Administrative Court of Poland (SAC) in the framework of the Exchange Programme oganised by the European Judicial Training Network (EJTN). During her stay Mrs. Andonie met with Vice-President of the Court, judge Maria Wiśniewska – Director of the Judicial Decisions Bureau and the Vice-President of the Court, judge Janusz Drachal – President of the Commercial Chamber. Moreover, she visited the Voivodship Administrative Court (WSA) in Warsaw and observed court hearings in the SAC and WSA in Warsaw.

As part of the exchange programme, judge Adriana Andonie held a number of working meetings with the judges of the SAC and WSA in Warsaw. She paid also visits in the Supreme Court of Poland, the National Council of the Judiciary of Poland, the Office of the Commissioner for Citizens' Rights and in the Office for Foreigners in Poland and European Border and Coast Guard Agency (FRONTEX).

During the visit, judge Adriana Andonie gave a lecture on administrative justice in Romania to the judges and staff of the SAC.

21 June 2017

On 21 June 2017 the group of judges and prosecutors from Bulgaria, France, Germany, Italy, Romania, Portugal and Spain visited the Supreme Administrative Court of Poland (SAC). The visit has been organized within Exchange Programme of the European Judicial Training Network (EJTN) in collaboration with Polish member – National School of Judiciary and Public Prosecution.

The group was received by the representatives of SAC: judge Prof. UŁ dr hab. Bartosz Wojciechowski - Head of the European Law Division of the Judicial Decisions Bureau, Hieronim Kulczycki - Head of Economic & Administration Division of the Chancellery of the President of SAC, Marta Kulikowska – Head of the Domestic & Foreign Relations, team in the Chancellery of the President of SAC and Dr. Anna Chmielarz-Grochal – assistant-specialist at the European Law Division.

Judge of SAC Prof. Bartosz Wojciechowski presented lecture “[Judicial] Justification as the Limitation of the Discretionary Power of the Administrative Judge”. Dr. Anna Chmielarz-Grochal presented the structure, position, functions and competences of administrative judiciary in Poland, with special reference to Supreme Administrative Court. Ms. Marta Kulikowska introduced the participants of the meeting with competences of the President of the Supreme Administrative Court, including supervisory competences relating to effectiveness of court proceedings and jurisprudence of administrative courts. The history of the current buildings of the Court was presented by Mr. Hieronim Kulczycki.

The group of foreign judges and prosecutors was accompanied by Ms. Katarzyna Krysiak – prosecutor and chief specialist at the International Cooperation Division of the National School of Judiciary and Public Prosecution.

The visit also included visiting the court’s building.

30 May 2017

On 30th of May 2017 the Supreme Administrative Court visited four-member delegation of the Council of Judiciary of the Republic of Armenia, staying in Poland at the invitation of the National Council of the Judiciary. The delegation was chaired by the President of the Court of Cassation Arman Mkrtumyan - Chairman of the Council. On behalf of the President of the SAC the visit was received by Jan Rudowski – the Vice-President of the SAC and the President of the Financial Chamber. During the meeting the history and the organization of the administrative judiciary in Poland, including the solutions resulting from reforms of 2004 were presented. Also the issue of legal institution of pre-trial proceedings (leave to appeal) was discussed.

The participants discussed the similarities and differences between Armenian and Polish administrative court system. The Armenian guests were interested in particular in issues regarding: the settlement of the ratione materiae questions between ordinary courts and administrative courts (including Supreme Court and Supreme Administrative Court); resolutions of the SAC adopted in order to explain legal issues raising considerable doubts and differences in case-law of administrative courts; the role of Ombudsman and the Public Prosecution Office in administrative courts proceedings, as well as courts statistics, including cases filed in the administrative courts of first instance and SAC.

17 May 2017

On 17th of May 2017 the Supreme Administrative Court visited five-member delegation of the Council of Judiciary of the Slovak Republic, staying in Poland at the invitation of the National Council of the Judiciary. The delegation was chaired by Jana Bajánková - Chairman of the Council, Judge of the Supreme Court. On the behalf of the President of the SAC the visit was received by Janusz Drachal – the Vice-President of the SAC and the President of the Commercial Chamber. During the meeting the structure of the administrative judiciary in Poland, with particular regard to the Supreme Administrative Court, the jurisdiction of individual chambers of the Court, and also the competences of the President of the Supreme Administrative Court and the Office of Jurisprudence were discussed. The others topics of the discussion were the budgetary issues related to the administrative judiciary, as well as the functioning of the judicial system in Poland and Slovakia.Moreover, during the meeting, Vice-President Janusz Drachal expressed his hope that the Czech-Polish judges working group, which has been operating since 2012, would be expanded and Slovakian judges will be able to participate in its work.

26 April 2017

On 26th of April 2017 Huang Yongqing, Ding Peng, Chen Xu and Wang Dan, the group of scholars from the University of Political Science and Law in Beijing, visited the Supreme Administrative Court of Poland (SAC). Their visit in Poland was organized by the Faculty of Law and Administration of the University of Warsaw. On the behalf of the President of the SAC the visit was received by Professor Jacek Chlebny - the President of the General Administrative Chamber and Vice-president of the SAC. During the visit the constitutional and statutory bases of the position of administrative courts in Poland were discussed, specifically the issue of ratione materiae. Professor Jacek Chlebny stressed the promptness and efficiency of the proceedings before the voivodship administrative courts, while scholars taking part in the visit indicated the differences between the administrative courts in Poland and China, where there is a lack of administrative courts separated from the common courts.

1-15 April 2017

On April 1 - 15 2017 Professor Harald Dörig, the vice-presiding judge of the 1. Senate of the Federal Administrative Court of Germany and Honorary Professor of the Friedrich-Schiller University in Jena, visited the Supreme Administrative Court of Poland (SAC) and Voivodeship Administrative Court in Cracow (WSA). During his stay Professor Harald Dörig met with Professor Marek Zirk-Sadowski - the President of the Supreme Administrative Court of Poland. Moreover, Professor Dörig visited the General Administrative Chamber of the SAC and Voivodeship Administrative Courts in Cracow and Warsaw. He also observed court hearings in the SAC and WSA in Cracow. Professor Dörig paid also visits in the Supreme Court of Poland, the National Council of the Judiciary of Poland, the Office of the Commissioner for Citizens' Rights and, in connection with his jurisprudence interests, in the Office for Foreigners in Poland and European Border and Coast Guard Agency (FRONTEX). During the visit, Judge Harald Dörig gave a number of lectures on administrative justice in Germany, in particular to the judges and staff of the SAC and the WSA in Cracow.

5-7 April, 2017

On 5-7 April, a seminar "How to Handle Court Proceedings Invoking Non-Compliance with EU Water Law" organized by the European Law Academy in Trier (ERA) took place at the seat of the Supreme Administrative Court. The seminar was opened by: Vice President of SAC, judge Jacek Chlebny - President of the General Administrative Chamber and Deputy Director of ERA Jean-Philippe Rageade - Program Director. The seminar was designed to provide the participants with an overview of both the EU legislation and the most recent related CJEU case law on water.

29 March 2017

At the seat of the Supreme Administrative Court held a meeting with the delegation of the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Ukraine chaired by Ivan Lishchyna - Government Agent before the European Court of Human Rights. The delegation was accompanied by Justyna Chrzanowska - Agent of the Minister for Foreign Affairs before the ECHR.
In a meeting run by the SAC judge, Head of the European Law Division in the Judicial Decisions Office - prof. Bartosz Wojciechowski, participated the representatives of the SAC.
The practical aspects of the enforcement of ECHR judgments, especially the cooperation between national institutions in both countries were discussed. Judge Wojciechowski presented experience of polish administrative courts in this filed and Ms. Justyna Chrzanowska emphasized excellent cooperation between the SAC and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The enforcement of administrative courts’ judgments by administrative authorities in Poland and in Ukraine was also discussed.

27 March 2017

On 27 March the Supreme Administrative Court visited delegation of the High Council of the Justice of Ukraine, staying in Poland at the invitation of the National Council of the Judiciary. The delegation was chaired by the judge Igor Benedysiuk - the Chairman of the Council and accompanied by the President of the Civil Chamber of the Supreme Court, judge Dariusz Zawistowski - the Chairman of the National Council of Judiciary.

The delegation was received by the President of the Supreme Administrative Court prof. dr hab. Marek Zirk-Sadowski together with the representatives of the management of the Court. During the meeting, the organization, role and functioning of the High Council of Justice as well as the position of the Polish administrative courts were discussed. The role of courts in the process of review the constitutionality of law was also discussed.

During the meeting the President of the NSA stressed the dynamics of judicial reform in Ukraine, while the President of the High Council stated that the Polish experience in the area of ​​justice is a source of inspiration for Ukraine. The delegation was accompanied by Andrii Kazakin from the Council of Europe, "Support for the introduction of judicial reform in Ukraine" project manager.

21 March 2017

Pierre-Yves Le Borgn, Member of the Committee on Legal Matters and Human Rights of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, met with the representatives of the Supreme Administrative Court, headed by the Deputy Director of the Judicial Decisions Bureau of the SAC, Judge Jerzy Siegień.

The main topic of the discussion was enforcement of the judgments of the European Court of Human Rights by administrative courts. The length of administrative proceedings were discussed, as well as the issues of popularization and the application of jurisprudence of the ECtHR by administrative courts in Poland.

15 March 2017On 15 March 2017 the group of students from Faculty of Law of François Rabelais University of Tours visited the Supreme Administrative Court of Poland (SAC). The visit has been organised within the cooperation between of French university with Polish partners – Faculty of Law and Administration of University of Łódź and Warsaw University Centre for Studies in Local Government and Development.
The group was received by the representatives of SAC: Judge Andrzej Kuba - President of the 2 nd Division of the Commercial Chamber of SAC, Hieronim Kulczycki - Head of Economic & Administration Division of Chancellery of the President of SAC and Marta Kulikowska – Head of Domestic & Foreign Relations, team in the Legal&Organizational Department in the Chancellery of the President of SAC . During the meeting practical aspects of judges activity and activities of SAC, as well as outline of constitutional and legal position of administrative courts in Poland and the history of the current building of the Court were presented.
The group of French students was accompanied by Prof. Patrick Baleynaud ( Université François-Rabelais de Tours) – Honorary Consul of Poland in Tours and Co-director of French Law School of University of Łódź and Dr. Beata Marczeska – researcher from Warsaw University Centre for Studies in Local Government and Development . The visit also included mock court trial and visiting the court’s building.

26 January 2017

On 26 January 2017 the delegation of the Netherlands Council for the Judiciary visited the Supreme Administrative Court of Poland. The Delegation was led by Chairman of the Netherlands Council for the Judiciary Judge Frits Bakker – member of the Executive Board of the European Network of Councils for the Judiciary (ENCJ). On behalf of the President of the Supreme Administrative Court, the delegation was received by Vice-President of the Court Judge Jacek Chlebny, LL.D. LL.D. (habilitated) – the President of the General Administrative Chamber. During the meeting were discussed inter alia: organisation of Polish administrative judiciary, the length of the proceedings before courts in Poland and in the Netherlands and the mediation proceedings before the administrative courts in both countries.